Susan Carroll (51 page)

"I want permission to marry your
granddaughter."

Phaedra could not believe what she was
hearing. She doubted her grandfather comprehended, either. The old
man's breathing became more labored.

"I want to make her my wife," James said.
"The Marquise de Varnais.”

For a second, her grandfather's eyes flew
open wide, a trace of his old gleam appearing. He tried to repeat
the title but he could not manage the sounds. With the words still
on his lips, his eyes closed.

The silence that followed seemed to stretch
out forever. Phaedra knew the exact moment when her grandfather
drifted into his final sleep. A heavy sigh escaped him and then all
was still. His coarse features had never known such restfulness in
life.

Phaedra realized she was clutching James's
hand. Their eyes met. "Thank you," she said, "for letting him
believe-"

"I didn't do it for him," James said
hoarsely. "I did it for you."

She was well aware of that, but it was
enough. With a muffled sob, Phaedra flung herself into his
arms.

They were married on a cold day in February,
the simple ceremony witnessed only by Julianna and Gilly. The
service was performed by a fresh-faced young curate who had never
heard of James Lethington.

As they left the church, Gilly teasing
remarked to Phaedra, "The fellow had not the least notion he was
marrying you to a dead man."

The four of them gathered in the Green Salon
afterward. Gilly leaped up on a stool and proposed a toast. "To
James and Phaedra: A long, happy married life, and a cottage full
of children."

His boisterous good wishes were echoed softly
by Julianna. Gilly crowded forward to kiss the bride. As he planted
a rough buss upon her cheek, Phaedra was pleased to see Julianna
daring to embrace her brother.

When his sister timidly presented James with
a wedding gift, Phaedra noted an expression of barely veiled
triumph upon Gilly's face.

James slowly undid the wrappings. His hands
trembled as he unveiled a bird molded of clay. The execution was
crude, and yet there was promise of something more, some life
stirring in those outstretched wings. Phaedra saw James swallow
hard. He murmured his thanks and pressed a tender kiss upon
Julianna's brow.

"Come, Julie," Gilly said, linking an arm
about her waist. "As the French would say, I'm thinking we are
quite de trop." But before Gilly could leave, James clasped his
hand in a hard grasp. From the look the two men exchanged, Phaedra
could tell an understanding had been reached.

When they were alone, Phaedra glided over to
her husband's side. He was yet examining the bird. He smiled as he
glanced up at Phaedra and indicated the sculpture’s outstretched
wings. "It looks as though he is straining to be free. He rather
reminds me of you."

Phaedra shook her head, taking the bird and
setting it down. All the freedom that she wanted stood only a
heartbeat away. James caught her hand and touched the simple gold
band encircling her finger.

"Are you disappointed," he asked softly, "to
be the plain Mrs. Lethington, and no longer 'milady'?"

There was only one response to such a foolish
question.

Phaedra flung her arms about his neck and
pressed her mouth to his. James returned the kiss, with all the
fire and passion of his nature.

With a blissful sigh, Phaedra nestled her
head against his shoulder. James held her thus for a long time,
both of them watching the snow fall past the Green Salon's long
French windows, the heavy white flakes enveloping the world in a
hushed softness.

"How strange,” " Phaedra murmured, "but I
have always hated winter. It chilled me to the bone. I never
realized how beautiful it could be."

"The winters are far harsher in Canada,"
James said. He added hesitantly, "I have made the arrangements for
us to embark next spring, but if you truly did not wish-"

But Phaedra pressed her hand to his lips,
hushing him. "I would follow you to the end of the world." She
smiled. "Even if I freeze to death."

"Nay love." James said as he swept her up
into his arms to carry her to their bridal bed. "I promise you,
that you will never feel cold again."